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Easy Sicilian Christmas Cookies

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Submitted by: gandolina

 

Delicate bar cookies filled with raspberry or fig jam, sliced almonds and a little brandy or rum.
 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar or natural cane sugar
  • 1/2 tsp finely grated orange or lemon zest
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 3/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • 1/2 cup fig or raspberry jam
  • 1 tablespoon brandy or rum, optional

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Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8 inch square baking dish with 1/2 tablespoon butter. Lightly flour pan. In a bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder. In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and orange rind on high speed until light and fluffy. Then beat in egg yolk. Reduce speed to low and gradually mix in flour mixture. Stir in almonds. In a small bowl, stir jam and brandy with a fork to make it more spreadable. Press half of dough into prepared dish. Gently spread jam over dough using bottom of an oiled metal measuring cup. Leave a space along edge so jam doesn't stick to sides of pan. Sprinkle remaining dough over top all the way to edges and press to form top layer. Bake until top is golden, 25 to 30 minutes, then cool in dish. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into bars with a pizza cutter.

 

Notes: Make sure to toast the almonds lightly for better flavor. The best sugar to use is natural cane, but light borwn works well, too.

 

Number of Servings: 16

 

Submitted by: gandolina ()

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